Spookdaddy
Cuckoo
- Joined
- May 24, 2006
- Messages
- 7,894
- Location
- Midwich
I have a habit of writing posts offline - and then running out of steam, or forgetting about them. The following is an old effort which I don’t think I ever posted, in part because I wanted to trace – amongst other sources - the documentary JamesWhitehead linked to above (Thanks again for that).
I’m also wondering if there might be another Stocksbridge thread, because I’m sure I’ve posted something more on the subject; there are other threads where Stocksbridge gets a mention: I thought it might be on the Weird things that have multiple witnesses? thread - apparently not, but it deserves a little bump anyway.)
So, If I have in fact posted this elsewhere, apologies for the repetition.
Anyway:
In idly reviewing the Stocksbridge events over the last couple of days a few things about the case struck me as really very unusual; I mean, obviously, you could say that hauntings are unusual by definition - but this one seems to have factors so outwith the (para)normal run of events that it appears especially so.
Firstly, there are a striking number of events involving multiple witnesses - in fact multiple witness encounters seem to form the majority of the better documented experiences. I'm no expert, but this strikes me as pretty remarkable, if not unique. I'd also add that all the witnesses that I've actually seen or heard interviewed come across as really pretty sincere and believable. (The policeman, Dick Ellis, always comes over as absolutely convincing.)
Secondly: Contrary to the common assertion that those experiencing apparently paranormal events are liable to ridicule, in this case, where interaction with colleagues or superiors is mentioned, these witnesses appear to have been treated very seriously by those with whom they have had direct contact. This leads me to wonder if the immediate psychological effects of the experiences were so apparent to those around them that all thoughts of belittling or ridiculing them were set aside (this certainly seems to have been what happened in the case of the two security guards).
Third: Although hauntings tend to be, almost by definition, very site-specific, it seems to me that - although focussed on the works involved in building the then new road - the area of operations for this phenomenon was much, much wider than is usual in most alleged hauntings. The initial very dramatic accounts take place at the works - however, other encounters appear to have occurred quite a way from the road itself. Again, this seems to me to be unusual.
Finally. In the most striking incidents whatever was happening at Stocksbridge seems to have been consciously interacting with the witnesses. This is not an element unique to this case, but it does surely contain some of the most dramatic expressions of that physicality, at least outside the traditional poltergeist haunting.
It’s always seemed to me that if we take as read that in discussing a haunting we are addressing something which is outside of what most individuals would consider ordinary experience, elements of some of the Stocksbridge accounts imply yet another level of strangeness laid on top of this.
Borderline sceptic I may be, but something about the Stocksbridge events still really fascinates me and I find it far more convincing - both as a whole, and within its individual elements - than many other famous modern hauntings.
Whatever was going on at Stocksbridge seems to be in remission now - I was going to add that this is a shame, but maybe I wouldn't feel that way if a mad flying monk leaped in front of my car.
I’m also wondering if there might be another Stocksbridge thread, because I’m sure I’ve posted something more on the subject; there are other threads where Stocksbridge gets a mention: I thought it might be on the Weird things that have multiple witnesses? thread - apparently not, but it deserves a little bump anyway.)
So, If I have in fact posted this elsewhere, apologies for the repetition.
Anyway:
In idly reviewing the Stocksbridge events over the last couple of days a few things about the case struck me as really very unusual; I mean, obviously, you could say that hauntings are unusual by definition - but this one seems to have factors so outwith the (para)normal run of events that it appears especially so.
Firstly, there are a striking number of events involving multiple witnesses - in fact multiple witness encounters seem to form the majority of the better documented experiences. I'm no expert, but this strikes me as pretty remarkable, if not unique. I'd also add that all the witnesses that I've actually seen or heard interviewed come across as really pretty sincere and believable. (The policeman, Dick Ellis, always comes over as absolutely convincing.)
Secondly: Contrary to the common assertion that those experiencing apparently paranormal events are liable to ridicule, in this case, where interaction with colleagues or superiors is mentioned, these witnesses appear to have been treated very seriously by those with whom they have had direct contact. This leads me to wonder if the immediate psychological effects of the experiences were so apparent to those around them that all thoughts of belittling or ridiculing them were set aside (this certainly seems to have been what happened in the case of the two security guards).
Third: Although hauntings tend to be, almost by definition, very site-specific, it seems to me that - although focussed on the works involved in building the then new road - the area of operations for this phenomenon was much, much wider than is usual in most alleged hauntings. The initial very dramatic accounts take place at the works - however, other encounters appear to have occurred quite a way from the road itself. Again, this seems to me to be unusual.
Finally. In the most striking incidents whatever was happening at Stocksbridge seems to have been consciously interacting with the witnesses. This is not an element unique to this case, but it does surely contain some of the most dramatic expressions of that physicality, at least outside the traditional poltergeist haunting.
It’s always seemed to me that if we take as read that in discussing a haunting we are addressing something which is outside of what most individuals would consider ordinary experience, elements of some of the Stocksbridge accounts imply yet another level of strangeness laid on top of this.
Borderline sceptic I may be, but something about the Stocksbridge events still really fascinates me and I find it far more convincing - both as a whole, and within its individual elements - than many other famous modern hauntings.
Whatever was going on at Stocksbridge seems to be in remission now - I was going to add that this is a shame, but maybe I wouldn't feel that way if a mad flying monk leaped in front of my car.